Furnace conveyer



Feb. l0, 1931. G. F. BFACH FURNACE CONVEYER fr sheets-sheet l 1 Filed April 8, 192

'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. F. BEACH Feb. l0," 1931.

FURNACE coNvEYER Filed April 8, 192e LE i l L N @Ziwz Feb. 1o, 1931; G. F. BEACH 1,792,409

FURNACE CONVEYER Filed April 8f `19,26 7 sheets-sheet 3 AlfeL-L.

Feb. 10, 1931. G. F. BEACH FURNACE GONVEYER 'T Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 8, 1926 Feb. 10, 1931. G, F, BEACH 1,792,409

FURNACE CONVEYER Filed April 8, 1926 'T Shee'cs--Shee'tl 5 Fel)v l0, 1931. G, F BEACH 1,792,409

FURNACE CONVEYER I Filed April 8, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Ziff! Feb. 1o, 1931'. G. F. BEACH 11,792,409

I FURNACE CONVEYER Filed April 8, 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Feb. 10, 1931 lUNITE;D

J'PATENT oFFlcE GEORGE E. BEACH, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNsYLvnnIA, Assieivora EY lvrEsNr;` AssIGNMENTs, To EYAN, soULLY & coi/rPaNY, or rrIIL-anEprI-IIA, 'rENnsrLvANrA,

A ooRroiaATIoNor DEL-AWARE FURNACE CoNvEgEn Application filed A.April 8,

My invention relates Vto conveyers, having particular relation to suchconveyers as are adapted for use in high temperature `furnaces of-the continuoustyp'e.

In its broad aspect, one object of ,my invention is to provide a conveyer, whereinth'e moving parts are wholly contained within the furnace chamber. r

A'more specific object of my invention is to provide a conveyer comprising amoving hearth adapted to cause a periodic progression of the artic-lesto betreated 'from guiding means, whichV serves to cause a uniform spacingl of said articles in lthe furnace, to a discharge outlet.

Another object of-my invention is to provide the hearth of a furnace with a plurality of pairs of anti-friction supporting elements, together with cam-operating means for causing said hearth to have a path of travel of circular-like form.

' A further obj ect of my invention is to provide mechanism for guiding the treated articles as they pass through the furnacel discharge outlet into the quenchingftank7 the parts of said mechanism ydirectly engaging said treated articles being returnedto the inside of the furnace upon the completion of thev guiding operation, whereby 'the temperature thereof may be `maintained at substantially that .of the treated article/,S and the formation. of cold spots on said articles thus avoided.

A still further object of my linvention-is toprovide conveyer mechanism for the drawing furnace, wherein the supporting surface thereof shall comprisefthe tuoper wedge' of a plurality of overlapping blades.

Other objects and applications of my 1nvention, as well as details of construction and operation, whereby my invention'may be practiced, will be apparent more lfully hereinafter, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a'longitudinal -sectional view of the hardening furnace showing, in yparticularthe moving hearth conveyer.

Fig. 2 is a similar view ofthe. drawing furnace illustrating the radial bladefc'onveyer for carryingthe treatedy agticles 're- 1926. serial No. ioosrl.

Vceivedlfrom the quenching tank throughsaid drawing furnace to skids at the discharge .end,thereof; y

Fig'. V3 is an elevational View of the en- 'tlance end of the hardening furnace;

Fig. 4. is a similar viewv but showing the discharge end of thehardening furnace;

` Fig. 5 is a' transverse sectional view taken -onzthe line V- V of Fig. 1;

TTF ig. 6 is adetail sideA elevational view of the counter-weighted -iingers for guiding the Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the drawing' furnace illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. -11 is a transverse sectional view taken on the' line XI-'XI of Fig. 2; Fig. '12 is an enlarged detailtransverse sectional `view'of one ofthe conveyer chains and associated parts;l

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail side elevational view of the conveye'r vchain of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 isv a detail top plan view of the chain Aattachment shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 illustrates a detail of the invention. vMy invention :broadly comprises a hardening furnace 1 having a 'conveyer 2v for causing a" periodic progression'of articles :3 `from guiding means 4 positioned at a furnace entrance 'toa furnace outlet 6; a-'

quenching tank 7 having' a skidway 8 extending Vfrom a base Qof said tank through the furnace outlet 6 to a point adjacent to the conveyer 2; and a drawing furnace 11 having a'conveyer 12 positioned to'receive the articles carried out of the quenching tank 7` Vby a sprocket-chain belt 13 and to carry said articles through said furnace 11, discharging the same through an outlet opening 14 onto a pair of skids 15.

` Referring more especially to the hardening furnace 1, as illustrated in Figs. -1 and Sto 9,'inclusive, a pier structurel comprises piersl 17 and 18 which are spaced on opposite 'sides of the conveyer 2 and eX- quenching tank 7.

tended the length of the furnace. Upper sides 19 and 21 of the spaced piers 17 and 18, respectively, constitute spaced supporting surfaces for the articles to be treated. For purposes of illustration, such articles have been shown as axles having a main body portion 22 and yoke end portions 23.

The conveyer 2 comprises an elongated hearth 24 having one end 25 positioned in operative relation to the guiding means 4 and an opposite end 26 terminating adjacent to the skidway 8. Opposite sides 27 and 23 of the hearth 24 parallel adjacent sides 29 and 31 of the piers 17 and 18, respectively. An upper side 32 of the hearth 24 constitutes a supporting surface for the axles 3 when they are moved forwardly, all as will presently appear. An underside 33 of the hearth 24 comprises a pair of longitudinally eX! tending side beams 34 and 35, which are transversely secured by channels 36.

1n accordance with my invention the hearth 24 is reciprocated in a path of circularlike form extending above and below the pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21, whereby the hearth supporting surface 32 may periodis cally raise the axles 3 from said pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21, carry said axles forwardly a desired distance and deposit the same on the pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21 in an advanced position. Such movement causes a periodic progression of the axles 3 from the guiding` means 4 at the furnace inlet opening` to the sltidway 8 leading to the To this end, I provide sets of saddles 37 and 3S, which are respectively secured on the underside of the hearth 24 adjacent to the respective ends thereof. Since the two sets of saddles are substantially identical, the former only will be describetL in det-ail.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 5. the set of saddles 37 are respectively mounted on the side beams 34 and 35 in such manner as to permit an independent movement of `the latter, as would occur upon the longitudin al expansion of the hearth structure 24. This may be accomplished by bolts 39 which extend through slots 41 in a base portion 42 of each saddle, see Figs. 1 and 15. The set of saddles 38 at the opposite end of the hearth may be rigidly secured to the hearth structure 24. in view of the slidable mountins` just described for the set of saddles 37.

Each of the sa ddles of the set 37 pro-vided with aligned pairs of depending spaced arms 43 and 44 providing mountings for anti-friction wheels or rollers 45 and The wheels 45 and 46 may be provided with flat contactingsurfaces 47 adapted to engage spaced points on a cooperating flat surface 4S of a cam 49 mounted on a cam shaft 5l. The cam shaft 51 also provides a mounting for a second cam 52 which cooperates with spaced wheels or rollers 53-53 supported by the saddle on the opposite side of the furnace hearth 24. Hence, provision is made for sidewise e5;- pansion of the hearth 24, as illustrated in l 5, wherein it is noted that the cam is provided with a groove 54 into which fits a complementary surface 55 of the spaced wheels 53-53, whereby the adjacent side 27 of the hearth 24 may be anchored to the cam shaft 51. The opposite side 23, however, of the hearth 24 may expand in view of the relatively flat contacting surfaces 47 and 43 of the wheels 45-46 andthe cam 49 respectively. A shaft 56 is similarly provided with cams 57 57 for co-operation with the wheels of the other set of saddles 33, one of these cams being anchored to the side 27 of the hearth 24 to permit such sidewise expansion as occurs at this end of the hearth 24.

In Fig. 1, the hearth 24 is shown in its forward position, wherein the axles 3 have just been disposed on the pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21. The continued movement of the cam shafts 51 and 56 through an angle of 90' causes the hearth 24 to assume the position of F ig. 7, wherein it will be noted that the hearth supporting surface 32 is below that of the pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21 and that the hearth 24 as a whole has been moved toward the inlet opening 5. A further 90 movement of the cam shafts 51 and 5G actnates the hearth 24 rearwardly and upwardly, so that the suppo-rtin g surface 32 thereof is in alignment with the pier supportim;` surfaces 19 and 21, as illustrated in Fig. 8. llhen the hearth is moved upwardly from this position to that shown in `Fig. 9 by the continued movement of the cam shafts 51 and 56, the axles 3 are raised by the supporting surface 32 of the hearth 24 from the pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21 and carried forwardly. rl`he com-- pletion of the cycle by the continued movement of the cam shafts 51 and 56 through 90 causes a still further forward movement of the axles 3 and the depositing of the same on said pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21 in an advanced position. The movement of the hearth 24 therefore causes a periodic forward progression of the axles 3 through the furnace.

The guiding means 4, which serves to in` sure a proper spacing of the aides 3 as they enter the furnace. may comprise pairs of transversely aligned shoulders which are respectively formed on stri] Jil- 59 mounted on the supporting surfaces 19 and 21 of the pier structure 16. In order to cause the aides 3 to be properly centralised with respect to the supporting pier structure 16. l' provide guiding strips 61 which are respectively positioned in co-operativo relation to the axle yoke 23-23 by supportingl extensions (S2 secured to the pier structure 1G.

The loss of heat between the forward end of the movable hearth 24 and the adjacent discharge end of the furnace 1 may be prevented'by'means'of'a fluid seal, as shown in Fig. 1, Vwherein a transversely extending channel beam 62. is somount'ed on theunder side of the `hearth 24 ythat one side of said channel beam extends downwardly into fluid end, Iprovidea vshaft 63, which is mounted -ext'ernally'ofithe furnace 1 but adjacent to the outletopening 6 with pair of spaced depending arms 64. fEach armis provided with a curved projection I65 adapted to extend through a passage 66 Yformed between the skidway 8 and the `lower'edge of a movable door 67 up into the furnace chamber, terminatinff in a horizontal shoulder portion positioned in substantial'alignment withthe supporting `surface of`one ofthe piers 17 18. The skidway Slm'ay comprise a pair of spaced members 6.9-69 extendingfrem the base 9 of the quenching-tank 7 through the passage 66 between the arm extensions 65e-65 and terminating -at the pier supporting surfaces 19 and 21.

The spacing ofthe members 69 is such as to permit a forward movement of the furnace hearth 24 therebetween. During such movement, wherein `the hearth 24 is moved upwardly and vforwardly from the position shown in Fig. 8th that 'shown infFign 1, the treated axle nearest to furnace outlet 6 is raised, carried forwardly, and finally deposited on the spaced supporting 'shoulders 68-68. The forward movement lof said article on the' shoulders 68-68 may be limited by abutments172. Y

The spaced "shoulders 68-68 now move downwardly under the weight of the axle 3, at'the same time guiding said axle on the spaced skids I69'-69, and vare finally disen* gaged from the axle as it passes into Vthe quenching tank 7. Thus, vthe uniform quench ing ofthe Vrixles 3 ftlrreughoutfthei'r length v1s assured. Y

Experience has inr'licatcd'that if the contacting parts of shoulders 68-68 of theJ guiding means are not maintained at the furnace temperaturmcol'd spots would be formed in the axles. I, therefore, pro-vide a counterweight 73 forthe shaft 63sufticient to cause the contacting shoulders`f68-68 to lbe -returnedto their initial lpositionV within the furnace after disengagement with the guided axle. The portionfof the-skid`way`8 between *the outlet passage 66 an-`cl"the quenching tank As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6, the axles may be moved fromthe quenching tank 7 by means ofthe conveyer `13 say of ythe sprocket-chain'type. Thefaxles passingover 'the upper endof'the conveyor 13 areguided by means cfa slide 771on`to an outer-end 78 ofthe'conveyer 12. Thelatter'ente'rs'the'furnace 1'1 'through an inlet opening 79, passing through a heated chamber section 81,'thedischarge outlet 14, around supporting sprocket f mechanism 82, through a cooled section 83 of the furnace 11 and finally around sprocket mechanism` 84 positioned vexternally of the furnace but adjacent tofthe inlet opening z7 9.

In the passageof the axles over the slideway .80

77, they are automatically turned from their position shown Vin Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig'. 11, wherein the .yokes 23 instead ofe'xtending downwardly now extend horizontally, so 'that all Vpart-s of the axlem'ay be positioned in the sameheat zone anda uniform temperature thereby acquired.

The conveyer 12 for 'carrying thel axles in such horizontal position through *thedrawing furnace '11, is particularlyillustrated in .1,0 y

Figs. 10 to 14, inclusive' and comprises apa'ir of spaced linkbelts 85 and='86. The sprocket mechanism '82 at the discharge end of the furnace 11, comprises a pai-r of spaced sprocket wheels'87 and 88which respectively 3L' support the(` outer ends ofthe-link belts 85 fand '86and are vmounted on lacommon' shaft Y89. The latter maybe driven by asprocket wheel 91 and chain92'from a driven sprocket wheel93. The sprocket mechanism 84 at-thel inlet end ofthe furnace 11 is similar to that just described.V

`Experience h-as shown that the portion of 'thelin'k belts 85 and 86 in the heated chamber sectionfl81 must'be protected from the intense heat, otherwise the bel-ts stretch to the extent of'rendering the conveyer 12 asa `whole inoperative. Accordingly, I provide length of the Afurnace and it is-provided with an inner passage 97 `having a relatively narrow elongated fslotf98.

The porti-on of the'link belt which extends thr'ouglrthe chamber 97 lma besuitably supported therein .by means o armember 199 of the form `particularly disclosed in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. Each member comprises a base portion 101, which is riveted to a link of the belt, and `downwardly spaced-'end portions -102 and 103 which slidably engage spaced Asupporti'n'gtraeks 104 and 105 formed on a 'which is angled with respect to the length of the belt and positioned in overlapping relation' to .asimilar memberon, saysa succeeding link of the belt. Sides 108 and 109 of the blade 107 are flared outwardly from the base member 101, so that a relatively wide blade is formed at the upper end thereof forming a supporting edge 111. The members 99 are so positioned that as they pass around the sprocket mechanism 82 at the discharge end of the furnace 11, they do not separate sufficiently to permit an axle to drop therebetween but rather provide a continuous supporting surface. rlhe axles passing through the discharge outlet 14 of the furnace 11 may be conveyed therefrom by the spaced skids 15 terminating in a receptacle 114.

rlhe portion of the chain disposed within the chamber 97 may be maintained at a desired temperature by a pair of longitudinally extending cooling pipes 115 and 116. The cooling effect of these pipes is limited to the chamber 97 by reason of the relatively small dimensions of the slot 98 and the fact that the blades 107 extend well above the tile shield into the furnace passage 81.

Considering the operation of my apparatus as a whole, assuming a plurality of axles on the guiding means 4l and the several driving parts actuated, the moving hearth 2li is effective by reason of its circular-like path of travel to cause a periodical progression of the axles through the hardening furnace 1, finally successively depositing the axles on the counterweighted fingers or shoulders (iS-G8 of the guiding mechanism. As each treated axle is deposited on the shoulders (iS-GS. the latter are actuated outwardly through the furnace passage 66 under the weight of the axle but all the while guiding the axle on the skidway 8 to insure that it is uniformly quenched from end to end by the oil in the tank 7. Thereafter, a sprocket chain conveyor 76 carries the axles out of the quenching tank 7 and deposits the same on the conveyer 12, causing them to assume a horizontal position, wherein the yokes 23 are in substantially7 the same plane as the body portion 2Q. After being carried through the drawing furnace 11 by the conveyer 12, the axles are finally deposited on the skids 15 leading to a cart or other receptacle 114i.

lli/Thilo l have shown only one embodiment of inv invention, for the purpose of describing the same and illustrating its principles of construction and operation, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be iinposed thereon as are indicated in the appended claims or as are demanded by the prior art.

I claim:

1. 1n a furnace, a hearth having a plurality of pairs of anti-friction supporting rollers, the rollers of each pair being spaced longitudinally of the hearth, and an actuating cam individual to each pair of rollers disposed with its axis intermediate and below the axes of the spaced rollers, whereby said hearth will be supported by said cams and said rollers and may be given a reciprocatory movement in a circular path.

2. A furnace having pairs of supporting rollers, and pairs of cams operatively associated with said rollers respectively, one of said pair of rollers and its co-operating cam being formed to interlock.

A furnace hearth having pairs of rollers respectively mounted adjacent to the sides thereof, and pairs of cams respectively associated with said pairs of rollers, the cam on one side only of said hearth and its co-operating rollers being intel-locked to permit sidewise expansion of said hearth.

4l. A furnace hearth having spaced rollers, and a sha ft having a pair of cams respectively associated with said rollers, one of said cams only and its associated roller being so formed as to anchor said hearth to said Cam shaft, permitting sidewisc expansion of the hearth relative to the other cam.

5. A furnace hearth having rollers respectively positioned adjacent to the opposite sides thereof and provided with curved and approximately flat operating surfaces, and a pair of cams associated with said rollers, one of said canas being provided with a groove for said roller having the curved surface, forming an interlocking connection therebetween, the other of said cams on the opposite side of said hearth having an approximately flat periphery.

G. A furnace hearth having pairs of spaced rollers respectively positioned adjacent to the sides of said hearth, and a cam individual to each pair of rollers, one of said pairs of rollers and its associated cam being so formed as to cause the adj acent side of said hearth to be anchored.

7. A furnace hearth having a pair of saddles mounted adjacent to the respective sides thereof, each saddle having a pair of spaced rollers, and a cam individual to each pair of rollers, and disposed with its axis of rotation intermediate and below the axes ofthe spaced rollers, for supporting and operating said hearth. i

8. A furnace hearth having' a pair of spaced saddles, each saddle having a pair of spaced wheels, and a cam operatively associated with each pair of wheels, one pair of wheels and its associated cam only being interlocked to cause the adjacent side of said hearth to be anchored.

9. A furnace having inlet and outlet openings, a hearth extending between said openings, a pair of saddles positioned adjacent to the respective sides of the hearth at each end thereof, each saddle having a pair of spaced supporting wh-eels` and a cam for said pair of spaced wheels, whereby said hearth may have a path of travel of circular-like form.

10. A furnace having inlet and outlet openings, a furnace hearth extending therebetween, a pair of spaced wheels rigidly mounted on said hearth at one end thereof, a second pair of spaced wheels so supported on the other end as to permit lengthwise expansion of said hearth independently thereof, and a cani individual to each pair of wheels, one of said cams and its co-operating wheels being so nterlocked as to anchor one side only of said hearth, whereby sidewise expansion thereof may occur.

11. A furnace having openings, a movable hearth extending between said openings, a pair of saddles positioned adjacent to the r-espective sides of said hearth in proximity to one end thereof, anti-friction elements carried by each saddle, a shaft extending across said hearth having a pair of cams respectively co-operating with the anti-friction elements of each saddle, a plurality of anti-friction elements and actuating cams operatively associated with the other end of said hearth, and

means for so associating said anti-friction elements and said hearth as to permit a relative longitudinal expansion of said hearth, certain of said elements and said cams being so formed adjacent to one side of said hearth as to permit sidewise expansion of the latter.

12. In a furnace, the combination with a hearth provided with a plurality of abutments in proximity to one end thereof and adjacent to the sides of the hearth, of a plurality of abutments positioned in proximity to the other end of said hearth and adjacent to the sides thereof, actuating means operatively associated with said abutments whereby a movement may be imparted to said hearth, said actuating means and said abutments being so associated as to permit sidewise expansion of said hearth, and means for so associating said abutments and said hearth as to permit longitudinal expansion of the hearth relative to the abutments at one end thereof.

13. In a furnaceV having a rectilinear hearth adapted for bodily longitudinal os-. cillatory movement through a substantially circular path in a vertical plane, means ad] acent each of the opposite ends of the hearth for supporting the hearth in a horizontal plane at all times during said oscillatory movement, the supporting means at one end of the hearth bearing a fixed relation to the hearth, and the supporting means at the oppositel end of the hearth bearing a relatively movable relation to the hearth to provide for longitudinal expansion andV contraction of the hearth without affecting the existing relation between the spaced supports.

14. In a furnace having a rectilinear hearth adapted for bodily longitudinal os E cilatory movement through a substantially circula-r pathin a verticalplane, meaiisadjacent each of.-` the opposite ends ofthe hearth forI supporting the' hearth in. a. horizontalz plane atfall times during said. oscillatory movementf and for.` effecting said oscillatory movement ofsaidthearth, the supportingand operatingimeansfat onefend of-the hearth bearing a fixed Vrelationto the hearth, and the: supportingand operating lmeans atV the opposite .end ofthe. hearth bearinga relatively movable relationtothehearthto provide.forlongitudinalexpansion and contraction of the hearth without affecting the existing relation between the spaced supports.

15. In a furnace having a rectilinear hearth adapted for bodily longitudinal oscillatory movement through a substantially circular path in a vertical plane, means adjacent each of the opposite ends of the hearth for supporting the hearth in a horizontal plane at all times during said oscillatory movement and for effecting said oscillatory movement of said hearth, the supporting and operating means at one end of the hearth bearing a fixed relation to the hearth, and the supporting and operating means at the opposite end of the hearth bearing a relatively movable relation to the hearth to provide for longitudinal expansion and contraction of the hearth without aHecting the existing relation between the spaced supports, each of the said supporting and operating means comprising a saddle for supporting the hearth, a cam located below the saddle and rotatable in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the hearth, and a pair of spaced rollers rotatably mounted on the saddle and adapted to ride on said cam, said rollers being located at opposite sides of the center of rotation of said cam and in a common plane substantially parallel to the plane of the hearth and disposed above the said center of rotation of the cam.

16. In a furnace having a rectilinear hearth adapted for bodily longitudinal oscillatory movement through a substantially circular path in a vertical plane, means adjacent each of the opposite ends of the hearth for supporting the hearth in a horizontal plane at all times during said oscillatory movement and for effecting said oscillatory movement of said hearth, the supporting and operating means at one end of the hearth bearing a fixed relation to the hearth, and

the supporting and operating means at the opposite end of the hearth bearing a relatively movable relation to the hearth to provide for longitudinal expansion and contrac tion of the hearth without affecting the existing relation between the spaced supports,

each of the said supporting and operating means comprising a saddle for supportin the hearth, a cam located-below the saddle and rotatable in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the hearth, a pair ofvspaoed rollers rotatably mounted on the saddle and adapted to ride on said cam, said rollers being located at opposite sides of the center of rotation of said cam and in a common plane substantially parallel to the plane of the hearth and disposed above the said center of rotation of the cam, means for rigidly securing the saddle at one end of the hearth to said hearth, and means for movably attaching the saddle at the opposite end of the hearth to the hearth.

GEORGE F. BEACH. 

